Muralitharan brands critics of doosra as 'narrow-minded'

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Last Updated: Thu, Dec 13, 2012 06:51 hrs

Sri Lankan spin legend Muthiah Muralitharan has branded Australian selection boss John Inverarity as narrow-minded for his comment that the contentious bowling delivery, doosra, cannot be bowled legally.

Ahead of the first Test between Australia and Sri Lanka, starting tomorrow, Muralitharan spoke of his frustration at ill-informed critiques and offered to teach off-spinner Nathan Lyon the mystery ball to prove it can be bowled without a chucking action.

Inverarity, Australia's chairman of selectors, said Cricket Australia faced a question of integrity when asked at a recent MCG luncheon if the nation's spinners should be educated on how to bowl the doosra.

The 68-year-old qualified the comment by adding he was not opposed to the delivery, which turns from leg to off for the right-arm finger spinner, provided it is taught and executed within the ICC's bowling laws.

"If he (Inverarity) thinks that ... anyone who says you can't bowl the doosra legally is narrow-minded. If Australia feels that way, they will never be able to bowl it," News.com.au quoted Muralitharan, as saying.

"Why is it possible that bowlers in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh can bowl the doosra? Why can't the Australian bowlers do it? There are a few ways of bowling the doosra to send it the other way," he added.

"Nathan Lyon could bowl it. If he learned to bowl the ball the other way, he would be more attacking and he will get more wickets. Who can say that it can't be done if they haven't tried it? In this world, if you work hard and train hard you can achieve things. If you have that mindset that it can't be done, well bad luck," he said.

Inverarity had said of the doosra: "It's a serious issue. I'm all for them (Australian spinners) learning it, but it's got to be within the rules. I think the integrity of the game and the integrity of our Australian cricket heritage is important."

"I'd love to see someone bowling differently, but we'd scrutinise them to make sure they're bowling properly," he added.